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{{Short description|Overview of sovereign countries in the world}}
A '''country''' is a distinct territorial body or political entity. It typically has sovereignty, meaning it has the supreme and independent authority over its territory. This includes the power to govern its own affairs without interference from outside bodies, although in practice, sovereignty can be limited by international treaties, alliances, and global organizations.
A '''country''' is a distinct territorial body or political entity, typically possessing '''sovereignty''', which grants it supreme and independent authority over its territory. This includes the power to govern its own affairs without external interference, though sovereignty may be limited by international treaties, alliances, or global organizations. The people of a country often share a sense of national identity, based on shared history, culture, language, or ethnicity, though this is not always uniform, especially in multicultural nations. As of May 2025, there are 197 widely recognized sovereign countries, including 193 member states of the [[United Nations]], two observer states, and two additional nations with significant international recognition.
 
The people of a country share a sense of national identity, which might be based on shared history, culture, language, or ethnicity, though this is not always uniform, especially in multicultural nations.


== Features ==
== Features ==


=== Government ===
=== Government ===
A country has its own government, which exercises control over its territory and populace. This government makes laws, manages public administration, and can enter into relations with other countries.
A country has its own [[government]], which exercises control over its territory and populace. The government makes laws, manages public administration, and has the capacity to enter into relations with other countries.


=== Territory ===
=== Territory ===
It has defined borders, though these can sometimes be in dispute. The territory includes land, water (like rivers, lakes, and territorial seas), and sometimes claims over air space.
A country has defined borders, which may occasionally be disputed. Its territory includes land, water (such as rivers, lakes, and territorial seas), and sometimes claims over airspace.


=== Population ===
=== Population ===
A country is inhabited by a permanent population. The people living within its borders might share a common identity, culture, language, or history, though many countries are multicultural.
A country is inhabited by a permanent [[population]]. The people within its borders may share a common identity, culture, language, or history, though many countries are multicultural.


== Types ==
== Types ==


=== Nation state ===
=== Nation-state ===
Nation state are where the borders of the country align relatively well with a single national or ethnic identity. Japan is often cited as an example.
A [[nation-state]] is a country where the borders align closely with a single national or ethnic identity. [[Japan]] is often cited as an example.


=== Multinational state ===
=== Multinational state ===
Multinational state are countries comprising multiple nations or ethnic groups, like Belgium or Switzerland.
A [[multinational state]] comprises multiple nations or ethnic groups within its borders, such as [[Belgium]] or [[Switzerland]].


=== City state ===
=== City-state ===
City states are sovereign states that consists of a single city with its dependencies, like Singapore or historically, Vatican City.
A [[city-state]] is a sovereign state consisting of a single city and its dependencies, such as [[Singapore]] or historically [[Vatican City]].


=== Microstates ===
=== Microstates ===
Microstates are very small countries, often with limited resources or population, like Monaco or San Marino
[[Microstates]] are very small countries, often with limited resources or population, such as [[Monaco]] or [[San Marino]].


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==
For a territory to be considered a country in the international system, it often requires recognition by other countries. This is where the concept of de jure (by law) versus de facto (in practice) sovereignty comes into play. Some territories might function as countries but lack widespread international recognition.
For a territory to be considered a country in the international system, it often requires recognition by other countries. This introduces the distinction between ''de jure'' (by law) and ''de facto'' (in practice) sovereignty. Some territories may function as countries but lack widespread international recognition, such as [[Kosovo]] or [[Taiwan]].


== Definitions ==
== Definitions ==


=== Montevideo Convention ===
=== Montevideo Convention ===
The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States (1933) states that a country should possess:  
The [[Montevideo Convention]] on the Rights and Duties of States (1933) outlines the criteria for statehood, stating that a country should possess:
* A permanent population
* A defined territory
* A government
* The capacity to enter into relations with other states
 
These criteria remain a cornerstone of international law regarding statehood.
 
== History ==
The concept of the modern nation-state emerged in Europe with the [[Treaty of Westphalia]] in 1648, which established principles of territorial sovereignty. Over centuries, colonialism, wars, and independence movements shaped the global map of countries. The 20th century saw significant changes, including the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the dissolution of states like the [[Soviet Union]] and [[Yugoslavia]], leading to the creation of new countries.
 
== List of countries ==
The following is a list of 197 sovereign countries, organized by continent. This includes 193 UN member states, two UN observer states ([[Palestine]] and [[Vatican City]]), and two additional widely recognized countries ([[Kosovo]] and [[Taiwan]]). Countries are listed alphabetically within their respective continents.
 
=== Africa ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Algeria]]
* [[Angola]]
* [[Benin]]
* [[Botswana]]
* [[Burkina Faso]]
* [[Burundi]]
* [[Cameroon]]
* [[Cape Verde]]
* [[Central African Republic]]
* [[Chad]]
* [[Comoros]]
* [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
* [[Republic of the Congo]]
* [[Djibouti]]
* [[Egypt]]
* [[Equatorial Guinea]]
* [[Eritrea]]
* [[Eswatini]]
* [[Ethiopia]]
* [[Gabon]]
* [[Gambia]]
* [[Ghana]]
* [[Guinea]]
* [[Guinea-Bissau]]
* [[Ivory Coast]]
* [[Kenya]]
* [[Lesotho]]
* [[Liberia]]
* [[Libya]]
* [[Madagascar]]
* [[Malawi]]
* [[Mali]]
* [[Mauritania]]
* [[Mauritius]]
* [[Morocco]]
* [[Mozambique]]
* [[Namibia]]
* [[Niger]]
* [[Nigeria]]
* [[Rwanda]]
* [[São Tomé and Príncipe]]
* [[Senegal]]
* [[Seychelles]]
* [[Sierra Leone]]
* [[Somalia]]
* [[South Africa]]
* [[South Sudan]]
* [[Sudan]]
* [[Tanzania]]
* [[Togo]]
* [[Tunisia]]
* [[Uganda]]
* [[Zambia]]
* [[Zimbabwe]]
}}
 
=== Asia ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Afghanistan]]
* [[Armenia]]
* [[Azerbaijan]]
* [[Bahrain]]
* [[Bangladesh]]
* [[Bhutan]]
* [[Brunei]]
* [[Cambodia]]
* [[China]]
* [[Cyprus]]
* [[East Timor]]
* [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
* [[India]]
* [[Indonesia]]
* [[Iran]]
* [[Iraq]]
* [[Israel]]
* [[Japan]]
* [[Jordan]]
* [[Kazakhstan]]
* [[Kuwait]]
* [[Kyrgyzstan]]
* [[Laos]]
* [[Lebanon]]
* [[Malaysia]]
* [[Maldives]]
* [[Mongolia]]
* [[Myanmar]]
* [[Nepal]]
* [[North Korea]]
* [[Oman]]
* [[Pakistan]]
* [[Palestine]]
* [[Philippines]]
* [[Qatar]]
* [[Saudi Arabia]]
* [[Singapore]]
* [[South Korea]]
* [[Sri Lanka]]
* [[Syria]]
* [[Taiwan]]
* [[Tajikistan]]
* [[Thailand]]
* [[Turkey]]
* [[Turkmenistan]]
* [[United Arab Emirates]]
* [[Uzbekistan]]
* [[Vietnam]]
* [[Yemen]]
}}
 
=== Australia and Oceania ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Australia]]
* [[Fiji]]
* [[Kiribati]]
* [[Marshall Islands]]
* [[Federated States of Micronesia]]
* [[Nauru]]
* [[New Zealand]]
* [[Palau]]
* [[Papua New Guinea]]
* [[Samoa]]
* [[Solomon Islands]]
* [[Tonga]]
* [[Tuvalu]]
* [[Vanuatu]]
}}
 
=== Europe ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Albania]]
* [[Andorra]]
* [[Austria]]
* [[Belarus]]
* [[Belgium]]
* [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
* [[Bulgaria]]
* [[Croatia]]
* [[Czech Republic]]
* [[Denmark]]
* [[Estonia]]
* [[Finland]]
* [[France]]
* [[Germany]]
* [[Greece]]
* [[Hungary]]
* [[Iceland]]
* [[Ireland]]
* [[Italy]]
* [[Kosovo]]
* [[Latvia]]
* [[Liechtenstein]]
* [[Lithuania]]
* [[Luxembourg]]
* [[Malta]]
* [[Moldova]]
* [[Monaco]]
* [[Montenegro]]
* [[Netherlands]]
* [[North Macedonia]]
* [[Norway]]
* [[Poland]]
* [[Portugal]]
* [[Romania]]
* [[Russia]]
* [[San Marino]]
* [[Serbia]]
* [[Slovakia]]
* [[Slovenia]]
* [[Spain]]
* [[Sweden]]
* [[Switzerland]]
* [[Ukraine]]
* [[United Kingdom]]
* [[Vatican City]]
}}
 
=== North America ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Antigua and Barbuda]]
* [[Bahamas]]
* [[Barbados]]
* [[Belize]]
* [[Canada]]
* [[Costa Rica]]
* [[Cuba]]
* [[Dominica]]
* [[Dominican Republic]]
* [[El Salvador]]
* [[Grenada]]
* [[Guatemala]]
* [[Haiti]]
* [[Honduras]]
* [[Jamaica]]
* [[Mexico]]
* [[Nicaragua]]
* [[Panama]]
* [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]]
* [[Saint Lucia]]
* [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
* [[Trinidad and Tobago]]
* [[United States]]
}}
 
=== South America ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
* [[Argentina]]
* [[Bolivia]]
* [[Brazil]]
* [[Chile]]
* [[Colombia]]
* [[Ecuador]]
* [[Guyana]]
* [[Paraguay]]
* [[Peru]]
* [[Suriname]]
* [[Uruguay]]
* [[Venezuela]]
}}
 
== See also ==
* [[List of countries by population]]
* [[List of countries by GDP]]
* [[List of countries by area]]
* [[United Nations]]
* [[Sovereignty]]
* [[Nation-state]]
* [[Microstate]]
 
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
 
== External links ==
* [https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states United Nations Member States]
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/ CIA World Factbook]


* permanent population
{{DEFAULTSORT:Countries}}
* defined territory
[[Category:Countries| ]]
* government
[[Category:Geography]]
* the capacity to enter into relations with other states
[[Category:Politics]]
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